Electrical component, such as a radio, audio component, battery charger or radio/charger

• US 6,982,541 B2
• Filed: 11/08/2002
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation (Techtronic Industries Company Limited)
• Inventors: Zick, Jonathan A., Rozwadowski, David J., Santana, George L. Jr., Zeiler, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tso, Edward H.
• Application Number:
  US10/291,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20030117107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 320/106, 320/107, 320/110, 320/112, 320/113, 320/114, 320/115
• US Class Current: 320/114
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/42 Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells H01M10/60 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/267 having means for adapting to batteries or cells of different types or different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An electrical component, such as, for example, a radio, an audio component, a battery charger or a radio/charger. The electrical component includes a housing and an electrical circuit supported by the housing. In some aspects, the electrical component is an audio component and the electrical circuit is an audio circuit. In other aspects, the electrical component is a battery charger and the electrical circuit is a charging circuit. In further aspects, the electrical component is an audio and battery charger combined and the electrical circuit is an audio and charging circuit. A battery may be connectable to the housing and electrically connectable the electrical circuit. The electrical component may include a locking assembly operable to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing. A biasing member may be positioned within a receptacle defined by the housing and operable to bias the battery out of the receptacle.

Claims

1. A battery charger comprising:

a housing;

a charging circuit supported by the housing, the charging circuit being selectively connectable to a power source, a power tool battery being connectable to the housing and electrically connectable to the charging circuit, the charging circuit being operable to charge the power tool battery; and

a locking assembly operable to lock the power tool battery in a position relative to the housing;

wherein the locking assembly includes a locking projection on one of the battery and the housing and a recess defined by the other of the battery and the housing, the locking projection being movable between a locked position, in which the projection engages the recess to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is movable relative to the housing;

wherein the locking assembly includes a biasing member biasing the locking projection toward a locked position; and

wherein the locking assembly includes an actuator operable to move the locking projection between the locked position and the unlocked position, and wherein the biasing member biases the actuator to a position corresponding to the locked position of the locking projection to bias the locking projection to the locked position.

2. A battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a receptacle having an open end, the battery being supportable in the receptacle, the housing including a cover selectively closing the open end of the receptacle.

3. A battery charger according to claim 2, further comprising a second biasing member supported in the receptacle and operable to bias the battery out of the receptacle.

4. The battery charger according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle also defines a closed end, the biasing member being supportable on the closed end of the receptacle.

5. The battery charger according to claim 3, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

6. A battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking projection being in the locked position thereof when the actuator is in the locked position thereof, and the locking projection being in the unlocked position thereof when the actuator is in the unlocked position thereof.

7. A battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a slide-on power tool battery, the housing including a support portion, the support portion selectively supporting the slide-on power tool battery.

8. A battery charger according to claim 7, wherein one of the slide-on power tool battery and the support portion include a projection, the other of the slide-on power tool battery and the support portion defining a recess, the projection being engageable in the recess to support the slide-on power tool battery on the support portion.

9. A battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a tower power tool battery, the housing defining an opening, the opening selectively supporting the tower power tool battery.

10. A battery charger according to claim 9, wherein the tower power tool battery includes a battery insertion portion, the battery insertion portion being engageable in the opening of the housing to support the tower power tool battery on the housing.

11. The battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the power tool battery includes a battery locking assembly to lock the power tool battery to a power tool, the locking assembly cooperating with the battery locking assembly to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing.

12. A battery charger according to claim 11, wherein the battery locking assembly includes a battery locking projection on the power tool battery, the battery locking projection being movable between a locked position, in which the battery locking projection engages a recess on the power tool to lock the power tool battery to the power tool, and an unlocked position, in which the power tool battery is movable relative to the power tool, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking projection on the housing and the battery locking projection provides a recess, the locking projection being movable between a locked position, in which the looking projection engages the recess to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is movable relative to the housing.

13. A battery charger according to claim 12, wherein the housing defines a receptacle having an open end, the battery being supportable in the receptacle, the receptacle defining an axis of insertion extending from the open end of the receptacle to the closed end of the receptacle, and wherein the locking projection of the battery locking assembly is movable perpendicularly to the axis of insertion between the locked position and the unlocked position.

14. The battery charger according to claim 1, further comprising a connector assembly for supporting the battery and for connecting the battery to the charging circuit, the connector assembly being movably supported by the housing.

15. The battery charger according to claim 14, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a connector terminal connected to the charging circuit, the battery terminal being connectable to the connector terminal, the battery terminal and the connector terminal being supportable in the receptacle.

16. The battery charger according to claim 14, wherein the connector assembly includes a support portion, the battery being supportable on the support portion, the support portion being movable relative to the housing.

17. The battery charger according to claim 16, wherein one of the battery and the support portion includes a projection and the other of the battery and the support portion defines a recess, the projection being engageable in the recess to support the battery on the connector assembly.

18. The battery charger according to claim 14, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a connector terminal connected to the charging circuit, the connector terminal being movable relative to the housing, the battery terminal being connectable to the connector terminal to connect the battery to the charging circuit.

19. The battery charger according to claim 14, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a support portion for supporting the battery and a connector terminal connected to the charging circuit, the support member and the connector terminal being movable relative to the housing, the battery terminal being connected to the terminal to connect the battery to the charging circuit.

20. The battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a well portion in a rear of the housing, the housing including a housing connector, the battery charger further comprising an accessory bag selectively supportable by the housing at least partially within the well portion, the bag including a bag connector connectable to the housing connector to support the accessory bag on the housing.

21. The battery charger according to claim 1, further comprising a blow-molded base connected to the housing and a handle connected to the housing and to the base, the handle having an upper portion positioned above the housing and a side portion positioned to one side of the housing, the handle being configured to absorb impacts to the housing.

22. The battery charger according to claim 1, wherein the housing defines a receptacle having an open end, the power tool battery being supportable in the receptacle, and wherein the power tool battery is one of a first power tool battery having a first dimension and a second power tool battery having a second dimension, the first dimension being different than the second dimension, and wherein the receptacle selectively receives one of the first battery and the second battery.

23. The battery charger according to claim 22, wherein the receptacle accommodates only one of the first battery and the second battery at a time.

24. The battery charger according to claim 22, wherein the receptacle also defines a closed end and an axis of insertion extending from the open end of the receptacle to the closed end of the receptacle, the first dimension and the second dimension being measured generally along the axis of insertion.

25. A battery charger comprising:

a housing;

a charging circuit supported by the housing, the charging circuit being selectively connectable to a power source, a power tool battery being connectable to the housing; and

electrically connectable to the charging circuit, the charging circuit being operable to charge the power tool battery;

a locking assembly operable to lock the power tool battery in a position relative to the housing;

wherein the housing defines a receptacle having an open end, the battery being supportable in the receptacle, the housing including a cover selectively closing the open end of the receptacle;

a biasing member supported in the receptacle and operable to bias the battery out of the receptacle; and

a connector assembly for supporting the battery and for connecting the battery to the charging circuit, the connector assembly being movably supported by the housing, the biasing member is supported between the housing and the connector assembly to bias the connector assembly toward the open end of the receptacle.

26. An electrical component comprising:

a housing defining a receptacle;

an electrical circuit supported by the housing, a battery being supportable in the receptacle and connectable to the electrical circuit; and

a biasing member operable to bias the battery out of the receptacle;

wherein the receptacle has an open end and a closed end, the biasing member being supportable on the closed end of the receptacle.

27. An electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the electrical component is an audio component, and wherein the electrical circuit is an audio circuit for producing an audio signal.

28. An electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the electrical component is a battery charger, and wherein the electrical circuit is a charging circuit electrically connectable to the battery and to a power source, and operable to charge the battery.

29. An electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the housing includes a cover selectively closing the open end of the receptacle.

30. An electrical component according to claim 29, wherein the cover includes a second biasing member, the second biasing member biasing the battery into the receptacle.

31. An electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the battery is a power tool battery operable to power a power tool, the electrical circuit being electrically connectable to the power tool battery.

32. An electrical component according to claim 31, wherein the battery is a slide-on power tool battery, and wherein the housing includes a support portion, the support portion selectively supporting the slide-on power tool battery.

33. An electrical component according to claim 32, wherein one of the slide-on power tool battery and the support portion include a projection, the other of the slide-on power tool battery and the support portion defining a recess, the projection being engageable in the recess to support the slide-on power tool battery on the support portion.

34. An electrical component according to claim 31, wherein the battery is a tower power tool battery, and wherein the housing defines an opening, the opening selectively supporting the tower power tool battery.

35. An electrical component according to claim 34, wherein the tower power tool battery includes a battery insertion portion, the battery insertion portion being engageable in the opening of the housing to support the tower power tool battery on the housing.

36. An electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the biasing member is a spring.

37. An electrical component according to claim 26, further comprising an electrical connector assembly for connecting the battery to the electrical circuit, the electrical connector assembly being supported in the receptacle.

38. An electrical component according to claim 37, wherein the electrical connector assembly includes a support portion for supporting the battery, the support portion being movable relative to the housing, and wherein the biasing member biases the support portion toward the open end of the receptacle to bias the battery toward the open end of the receptacle.

39. The electrical component according to claim 37, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a connector terminal connected to the electrical circuit, the battery terminal being connectable to the connector terminal, the battery terminal and the connector terminal being supportable in the receptacle.

40. The electrical component according to claim 37, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a connector terminal connected to the electrical circuit, the connector terminal being movable relative to the housing, the battery terminal being connectable to the connector terminal to connect the battery to the electrical circuit.

41. The electrical component according to claim 37, wherein the battery includes a battery terminal, and wherein the connector assembly includes a support portion for supporting the battery and a connector terminal connected to the electrical circuit, the support portion and the connector terminal being movable relative to the housing, the battery terminal being connected to the terminal to connect the battery to the electrical circuit.

42. An electrical component according to claim 26, further comprising a locking assembly operable to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing.

43. An electrical component according to claim 42, wherein the locking assembly including a cover supported by the housing, the cover selectively closing the open end of the receptacle to lock the battery in the receptacle.

44. An electrical component according to claim 42, further comprising an electrical connector assembly for electrically connecting the battery to the electrical circuit, wherein the locking assembly locks the battery to the electrical connector assembly.

45. An electrical component according to claim 44, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking projection on one of the battery and the electrical connector assembly and a recess defined by the other of the battery and the electrical connector assembly, the locking projection being movable between a locked position, in which the projection engages the recess to lock the battery in a position relative to the electrical connector assembly, and an unlocked position, in which the battery is movable relative to the electrical connector assembly.

46. An electrical component according to claim 26, further comprising:

an electrical connector assembly for electrically connecting the battery to the electrical circuit, and

a locking assembly operable to lock the battery in a position relative to the housing, the locking assembly locking the electrical connector to the housing.

47. An electrical component according to claim 46, wherein the locking assembly includes a locking projection on one of the electrical connector assembly and the housing and a recess defined by the other of the electrical connector assembly and the housing, the locking projection being movable between a locked position, in which the projection engages the recess to lock the electrical connector assembly in a position relative to the housing, and an unlocked position, in which the electrical connector assembly is movable relative to the housing.

48. An electrical component according to claim 47, wherein the locking assembly includes an actuator operable to control movement of the locking projection between the locked position and the unlocked position.

49. The electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the battery is one of a first battery having a first dimension and a second battery having a second dimension, the first dimension being different than the second dimension, and wherein the receptacle selectively receives one of the first battery and the second battery.

50. The electrical component according to claim 49, wherein the receptacle accommodates only one of the first battery and the second battery at a time.

51. The electrical component according to claim 49, wherein the receptacle defines an axis of insertion extending from the open end of the receptacle to the closed end of the receptacle, and wherein the first dimension and the second dimension are measured generally along the axis of insertion.

52. The electrical component according to claim 26, wherein the housing defines a well portion in a rear of the housing and the housing includes a housing connector, the electrical component further comprising an accessory bag selectively supportable by the housing at least partially within the well portion, the bag including a bag connector connectable to the housing connector to support the accessory bag on the housing.

53. The electrical component according to claim 26, further comprising a blow-molded base connected to the housing and a handle connected to the housing and to the base, the handle having an upper portion positioned above the housing and a side portion positioned to one side of the housing, the handle being configured to absorb impacts to the housing.